An expanding halo of light around
the distant star, V838 Monocerotis is
featured in this stunning image obtained
on February 8, 2004, with Hubble’s
Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS).
A view of our galaxy’s farthest expanse,
V838 Mon is located nearly 20,000 light
years from Earth in the direction of the
constellation Monoceros. The illumination
of interstellar dust shown comes from the
red supergiant star at the middle of the
image, which gave out a flashbulb-like
pulse of light two years ago. Size: 24” x
36”.